Surat Diamond Workers Slam ‘Fare Robbery’ by Bus Operators Ahead of Diwali

Surat | Gujarat —  For thousands of diamond workers in Surat, the joy of going home for Diwali has been clouded by an unexpected burden. Private luxury bus operators have doubled fares, leaving workers from the recession-hit diamond industry struggling to afford tickets to their hometowns.

The Diamond Workers Union Gujarat (DWUG) has filed a formal complaint with the Surat Police Commissioner, calling the fare hike nothing short of “daylight robbery” and demanding strict action against operators exploiting festive demand.

According to the complaint by Surat diamond workers, fares have skyrocketed in the run-up to Diwali. A single seat that usually costs ₹700 is now being charged at ₹1,400, while a double seat priced at ₹1,400 has been hiked to ₹2,800. For workers already hit by the prolonged slowdown in the diamond polishing industry, these inflated fares are unaffordable.

“The diamond industry is already passing through a severe recession. Workers are getting less work and their income has drastically reduced. In such a situation, private operators are looting passengers by charging double fares. This is unjust and inhuman,” said DWUG Vice-President Bhavesh Tank.

The union also alleged that the exploitation does not stop at inflated fares. Many buses, they claim, are operating beyond capacity. Passengers are crammed “like sheep and goats,” a practice that not only violates traffic norms but also raises the risk of serious accidents. The union reminded authorities of past incidents where overloading led to fatal crashes during festive travel.

In its memorandum, the DWUG emphasized that it is not opposed to private transport operators earning profits, but called for regulation to protect the working class. “We only demand fair fares that are affordable for the middle class. No one should be denied the chance to celebrate Diwali with their families because of greed,” the union stated.

The DWUG has urged the Police Commissioner to immediately convene a meeting with private bus operators, enforce compliance with RTO and traffic safety rules, and put an end to exploitative pricing. They warned that without intervention, thousands of diamond workers may be forced to remain in Surat instead of joining their families for the biggest festival of the year.

The issue comes at a sensitive time for Surat’s diamond sector, which employs lakhs of workers but has been reeling from weak global demand and shrinking margins. For many workers, the annual trip home for Diwali is a rare emotional respite from financial stress—a journey that now feels increasingly out of reach.